I don’t know of any study specifically done on cats. There are some famous studies done with rhesus monkeys. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Harlow
Many large cats are solitary creatures. Feral cats often live in family groups and have each other to interact with. I do know if they are locked in an apartment by themselves they get bored,
I think the most likely effect of not petting a housecat for a very long time is it may become completely feral.